War of Words for Eden Valley Schools

Two Eden Valley schools wage a war of words this week as they battle it out in a debating contest at The Moot Hall Appleby on Wednesday 14th April.

Teams from Appleby Grammar School and Kirkby Stephen Grammar school are taking part in the very first Burnetts Debating Challenge. The future of Appleby New Fair, wind farms in Cumbria and university admission targets are the topics up for debate.

The contest was the idea of Burnetts’ Nick Gutteridge and Appleby teacher Caroline Howard . Their suggestion was enthusiastically welcomed by Andrew Lund, Headteacher at Appleby and Kirkby Stephen’s Headteacher David Keetley.

Nick who is a Partner in the Carlisle-based law firm said, “Caroline and I were discussing how important it is that young people learn how to develop logical and persuasive arguments as well as gaining the confidence to present those arguments. Since those skills are essential for success in a legal career, it made sense that we should be working in schools helping young people to develop.”

The debating contest is the culmination of a six month project which has seen litigator Nick Gutteridge and his colleague, employment solicitor Katie Sinclair working with Year 10 and 11 debating society teams within the two grammar schools. The Appleby team is led by teacher Caroline Howard and includes students Asha Williams, Anna Pigney and Kate Hutt. Catherine Butterworth heads the Kirkby Stephen team of Sally Murray, Keeley Edmondson and William Thwaites.

The winners of the debate will be chosen by Natalie Ruane, another Burnetts’ Partner who is an experienced advocate in Employment Law Tribunals and also a regular public speaker on topics relating to employment law. The winning team will be presented with the Burnetts Debating Cup at 3.15pm and will also be able to take advantage of a week’s valuable work experience at Burnetts.

Nick, Katie and Natalie all live in the Penrith area.

The debate takes place at 2pm in The Moot Hall, Appleby on Wednesday 14th April. Headteachers, students and the Burnetts’ team will all be available for a photograph before the competition at 2pm.